The Palestinian Authority's Fatah party and its affiliates swept local council elections. These elections are one of the few ways for Palestinians to exercise their democratic rights, but this weekend's vote appears to have diluted that process.
No ballots were cast in Ramallah and Nablus due to a lack of candidates. Turnout was 25 percent in Deir el-Balah, the only area in Gaza where voting took place. Most candidates were from the Palestinian Authority's Fatah party and its affiliates. Hamas, which controls Gaza, stayed away.
The Palestinian Authority says the elections were aimed at Palestinian unity. Will the vote achieve that aim? And will it make any difference to Palestinians living under Israeli occupation and violence?
Presenter Imran Khan discussed these questions with guests: Ahmed Fattouh, Fatah spokesperson; Jalal Abukhater, policy manager at 7amleh; and Xavier Abu Eid, political analyst and former communications director for the Palestine Liberation Organization.
